AzireVPN is a Sweden-based VPN provider, launched in September 2012. The provider claims it offers a “privacy-minded VPN service.” In this article, I’ll be investigating this provider to see if it lives up to its claim. I’ll take a look at the availability and ease of use that its app library offers, its global server network, and how well protected its connections are, as well as how fast those protected connections are.
Don’t worry, I haven’t forgotten about investigating how well the provider unblocks popular streaming services when you’re traveling or working internationally. I’ll also see how the provider stands up to other quality & secure VPN service providers, such as NordVPN.
Is AzireVPN Right For You?
AzireVPN provides average online protection, even though its own website claims the service is showing DNS and WebRTC leaks. (More about that later.)
The provider offers connection speeds that can best be described as “acceptable.” However, those same connections proved to be particularly adept at granting access to Netflix in any country included in the provider’s admittedly limited global server network. (Attempts with other streamers didn’t fare as well.)
The provider’s apps are both easy to install and use (although you’ll have to jump through at least one hoop to install the iOS app) and provide good protection. However, I did have some issues in obtaining a reliable connection with the Windows app.
If you’d prefer a more reliable and higher level of protection on all of your connected devices, I strongly recommend trying NordVPN.
NordVPN offers reliable, easy-to-use apps for all popular devices and connects to a massive global server network available in 59+ countries. NordVPN delivers fast, well-protected connections to many popular streaming services and allows P2P file sharing on many of its servers.
NordVPN offers a no-risk, 30-day money-back guarantee, which compares quite favorably to the seven-day money-back guarantee period that AzireVPN offers.
My Verdict
AzireVPN offers decent online protection via easy-to-use apps that provide merely average connection speeds. The provider’s limited global server network provides reliable internet access to Netflix in the few countries it has servers.
However, if you’re looking for optimal protection speeds and global server coverage, I strongly recommend looking at another provider, like my #1 pick, NordVPN.
| OVERALL RANK: | 3/5 |
| Server Speed: | 3/5 |
| Tested Speed: | 65.1 Mbps average download speed (independently speed tested) |
| Streaming Support: | HD & 4K |
| Streaming Score: | 3/5 |
| Unblocks Netflix?: | Yes – in the small number of countries where AzireVPN servers are located |
| U.S. Streaming Services Supported: | Netflix, Hulu |
| U.K. Streaming Services Supported: | Netflix |
| Security Score: | 4/5 |
| Privacy Rating: | 5/5 |
| Supports Torrenting: | Yes, on all servers |
| Value for the Money: | 3.5/5 |
| Money-Back Guarantee: | 7 days |
| Website: | www.azirevpn.com |
Pros:
- Connections are 4K and HD video-capable
- Accesses geo-restricted content on Netflix
- Top-notch security and privacy
Cons:
- Strikes out on unblocking other streaming services
- Connection times are slower than many other VPNs
- Had issues connecting when using the Windows app
Features
AzireVPN provides the usual features for a reasonably priced provider, but doesn’t really go the extra mile in any category.
The provider offers native app support for Android, iOS, macOS, Windows, and Linux operating systems. It should be noted that the iOS app is not available from the App Store, but only through TestFlight, Apple’s app that allows developers to grant beta testers to their apps before they’re ready for the App Store. The source code for the app is also available on Github.
While the provider also offers compatibility with OpenWrt and DD-WRT routers, as well as pfSense devices, browser extensions are not available.
Up to five devices can concurrently connect to the provider’s servers using a single set of login credentials.
I tested the iOS, macOS, and Windows apps. Don’t expect a load of options in the AzireVPN apps. None of the apps offered anything other than an option of which servers to connect to, and a few options for the OpenVPN protocol the apps use. (The provider also supports the recently developed WireGuard protocol, but only via manual setup.)
The provider’s global server network is definitely in need of some expansion, as it is made up of a mere 70 servers in 21 locations. This is a tiny network when compared with most of the other VPN services I’ve reviewed – such as NordVPN, which has 5,500+ servers stationed in 59+ countries around the globe.
On the bright side, all of those servers support P2P file sharing.
The provider’s support is limited to email, user guides, and an FAQ section.
Streaming
Accessing geo-blocked content from streaming services like Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, and others is arguably one of the most attractive reasons for subscribing to a VPN service.
In the early days of both the streaming and VPN industries, nearly any VPN service could offer access to the geo-controlled content that Netflix and others offer. However, the streaming services eventually caught on to this little trick and began blocking the IP addresses that VPN providers use.
This led to many VPN providers throwing in the towel and no longer offering access to the streaming services. However, there are still providers, such as NordVPN and Surfshark, that continue to provide reliable internet access to the streamers.
How does AzireVPN fare in this category? Let’s take a look.
While I didn’t find a mention of unblocking streaming services anywhere on the AzireVPN website, the provider proved to be quite adept at granting access to Netflix streams. Unfortunately, it did not fare as well with most other streaming services.
One good thing about the provider having a limited number of servers is that I was able to test every server farm location for Netflix access. I can report that AzireVPN was able to grant access to the popular streaming service in every country where it has servers (the U.S., Thailand, Canada, Spain, France, Netherlands, Sweden, Germany, Denmark, Romania, and England).
While it was also able to unblock Hulu in the U.S., its U.K. servers didn’t fare as well at unblocking BBC iPlayer. Amazon Prime Video also rejected all connection overtures while connected to AzireVPN servers.
When I connected to any Netflix source, as well as Hulu, I had an enjoyable experience, with little to no buffering, and no pixelation or fuzziness in the video.
Security and Privacy
AzireVPN offers average online privacy protections at best, providing OpenVPN and WireGuard protocol options.
While the OpenVPN option is supported on all device platforms that the provider supports, WireGuard is limited to the macOS, Linux, and Android device platforms, as well as some routers. Use of WireGuard requires manual setup via scripting, and the process is not recommended for inexperienced users.
For those of you not familiar with WireGuard, the protocol is a recent addition to the overall online security arsenal, and is designed from the ground up to offer better performance and protection than the more established IPSec and OpenVPN default protocols.
WireGuard makes use of high-performance cryptography algorithms, such as the Noise Protocol Framework, Curve25519, ChaCha20, Poly1305, BLAKE2, SipHash24, and HKDF.
The protocol’s optimizations for the MIPS processor architecture mean the protocol won’t tax the resources of less-powerful platforms, including home routers and other embedded systems.
There are no real “extras” when it comes to online protection from AzireVPN, as the apps I tested lacked an internet kill switch option and offered nothing in the way of ad or tracking blocking, or malware protection.
As for DNS leaks, AzireVPN’s own “Security Check” page showed the service was experiencing DNS and WebRTC leaks. Sure, WebRTC leaks are more of a browser issue, and the page also included information on how to remedy this, but DNS leaks should be something the app takes care of without manual configuration, don’t you think?
AzireVPN says they do not log any internet traffic or user activity, nor do they log the original IP addresses of customers when they connect to the service or the IP that AzureVPN servers assign them.
The company is based in Sweden, which is part of the 14 Eyes Alliance, so keep in mind that even though the company says they log nothing in the way of your online activities while you’re connected to their servers, they could be forced to turn over any personal information they have about you if the Swedish government presses them to do so.
AzireVPN protects your payment privacy well thanks to its cryptocurrency payment option. The provider also accepts cash, PayPal, Swish, and credit cards.
Connection Speed
The provider’s connection speeds, while sufficient for nearly any online activity I can think of, are merely adequate. During a time when my gigabit fiber internet connection measured in at an average of 360 Mbps downstream, my average download speeds while using AzireVPN were a mere 65.1 Mbps.
While those are definitely not connection speeds that can compete with high-tier VPN providers (like NordVPN), they are sufficient for viewing HD and 4K streams, most online gaming, and sharing of files.
Gamers may want to take advantage of the provider’s seven-day trial period to test its connections with their favorite online games, as AzireVPN’s ping numbers were less than glowing.
The provider never restricts your online fun by imposing data limits or bandwidth throttling.
Cost
I can’t really complain about AzireVPN’s pricing. Its month-to-month subscription cost is about the same as if you took advantage of the foot-long sub promotion at your local franchised sandwich shop. It offers substantial discounts if you opt for a three-month, one-year, or two-year commitment.
While the provider does offer a super-short seven-day money-back guarantee, closer examination of the fine print reveals that the guarantee does not apply to one-month packages or cryptocurrency transactions.
Alternatives
While AzireVPN offers adequate VPN protection, I can name off the top of my head at least seven VPN providers that provide better online protection and a better value for your hard-earned VPN dollar. Here are two alternatives you should consider.
NordVPN
My personal top choice for VPN protection is NordVPN. I’ve used NordVPN for a number of years, and it has never let me down.
The provider offers fast connections that can easily handle gaming, HD and 4K streaming, and large file sharing (depending on your usual ISP-provided speeds, of course). It provides those speeds to all popular device platforms and numerous router platforms, and allows up to six devices to connect at once on the same set of login credentials.
NordVPN offers top-notch protection for your online activities, protecting your connection by using military-grade encryption, as well as an internet kill switch, and DNS and IP leak prevention.
The provider also keeps no server logs of any kind and protects your payment privacy by offering a cryptocurrency subscription payment option.
In addition, NordVPN’s owned-and-operated servers keep outsiders away from your personal data. Plus, all NordVPN servers are run 100% from RAM, with no data ever being written to a physical hard drive. This means all data is securely and completely wiped whenever a NordVPN server is restarted or shut down.
NordVPN apps are available for Android, Android TV, Linux, Windows, iOS, Amazon Fire TV, and macOS (with M1/M2 Mac support) devices. Also available are browser extensions for the Chrome, Edge, and Firefox browser platforms. The provider is also compatible with multiple router makes and models.
The provider offers reliable access to Netflix, Amazon Prime, and other streaming services around the globe via a global network of 5,500+ servers located in 59+ countries. Fast, well-protected connections are the rule with NordVPN.
Surfshark
Surfshark is an excellent choice for budget-minded users. The provider offers top-notch online protection at a reasonable price.
The provider’s fast, well-protected connections provide plenty of bandwidth, with no data caps or connection throttling to deal with.
Surfshark protects your connections with military-grade encryption, a kill switch, and DNS and IP leak prevention.
The provider keeps no user logs of any kind and your payment privacy is protected, as Surfshark offers a cryptocurrency subscription payment option.
Surfshark offers native app support for Android, Android TV, Linux, Windows, iOS, Amazon Fire TV, and macOS (with native Apple Silicon support). Also available are browser extensions for the Chrome, Edge, and Firefox browser platforms. Support for multiple router makes and models is present and accounted for.
This provider offers budget pricing, especially when you opt for a one or two-year subscription.
AzireVPN FAQs
Does AzireVPN Work in China?
AzireVPN customer support says the official word is that they cannot guarantee their VPN service will work from inside Chinese borders. (Many VPN providers are blocked in China.)
However, if you’d like to give it a try, they encourage you to do so. If it does not work satisfactorily, please take advantage of the provider’s seven-day money-back policy.
Is AzireVPN Safe to Use?
AzireVPN offers merely average online protection. It lacked a kill switch option on the apps I tested, and its own website showed that my AzireVPN connection was experiencing DNS leaks. What all of this means is that you can do much better.
Does AzireVPN Offer a Free Trial?
Despite what other websites may say, AzireVPN does not offer a 24-hour free trial. I double-checked this with AzireVPN Customer Support and they told me they do not offer a free trial, but customers can take advantage of their seven-day money-back guarantee period.
